Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire prospects w/c 1st February 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire prospects w/c 1st February 2016.

The Salmon fishing season is well and truly started now on the mighty Tay in Perthshire, Scotland as we enter February and we have been encountering some cold winter weather but milder conditions and heavy rain has put the river up making life fairly difficult with limited opportunities for anglers to brave the elements in pursuit of that magical spring salmon. The weather hopefully will ease over the coming week which should help and give the river more settled conditions and benefit the river to give a greater chance of producing some sport and some early "Bars of Silver" if you are prepared to brave the elements.

Currently the river is running high but falling away slowly after the milder weather last week (9’ on the Ballathie gauge).

The weather is to become colder over the next few days after a mild Monday. Colder conditions certainly benefit the river at this time of year slowing the spring salmon run down and giving everyone a chance to catch as they run up the river slowly. The milder weather prior to the start and last week gave us more water and would have encouraged salmon to run the river. Colder weather will settle the river back to a good level and make ideal spring fishing conditions. The water temperature was around 39 degrees Fahrenheit or 4 degrees Celsius and may fall below that level in the coming days. These are typical temperatures for this time of year. The temperature may come back further with the colder forecast for the week ahead but there have been salmon running throughout the system after milder conditions prior to the opening day and resulted in fish being caught well up the system. Hopefully there might be a chance of a fresh fish anywhere in the river. There will no doubt be quite a few kelts about on many beats and possibly some later run fish, which have yet to spawn. Should you require guidance on salmon identification at this time of year please see this link for some help.

As to methods, in settled conditions fishing by any method will have to be slow and deep with large lures to catch the elusive Tay Springer. Harling is also a favoured method at this time of year but be warned wrap up well or it will not be a pleasant experience.

Finally, you are reminded that the Tay's policy for January – 1st April 2016 is that all spring salmon must be released, i.e. the Tay has a policy of 100% mandatory release of all salmon caught under the new Scottish Government Statutory Conservation Regulation. Spring salmon are a scarce and precious resource. Please preserve both them and the long term future of your sport by following the release of salmon as it is a now legal requirement during this period even if a fish has died. The Board's bailiff team will be enforcing this new legislation.

When releasing salmon please try to keep the fish in the water as much as possible to give them every chance to recover prior to release. Releasing fish from boats in the river is not recommended. Further information on the policy and good release practice.

If you have any news or pictures of catches or experiences on the Tay and you would like to share them please email me on robert.salmonfishing@googlemail.com to be included in the reports.

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire great destination to catch a springer.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire great destination to catch a springer.

The Tay is a superb destination to catch spring salmon as it has the strongest run of any river in Scotland and the quality of salmon caught surpasses other rivers through its shear volume. The Tay produces larger salmon which has been evident over the last few springs. Fish in the upper teens, twenties and even the odd thirty pounds spring salmon are landed.

The spring period from January to May continues to be a positive part of the season, 2015 saw a similar catch to 2014 and this represented a 13.8 % increase on the 5 year average. The 5 year average to the end of May is 1430, in 2014 1629 fish were recorded on Fishtay and in 2015 the total was 1628. This confirms the trend starting on the Tay three years ago with much better spring fishing. In 2015 the early spring was steady but the late spring was very positive especially for the middle river confirming the spring proportion of the catch on the Tay is increasing year on year with this years catch being 30 % of the total. We are continuing to see the start of a change in the cycles as in the past. Further evidence of this phenomenon was the superb June ending the 2015 spring run. There is no reason that 2016 can not be on the same lines, expectation and anticipation is high.

Early in the season in cold water largely determines the catches with the beats around Stanley performing best such as Fishponds, Upper Redgorton, Upper Scone, Benchil, Pitlochrie, Catholes, Burnmouth, Taymount and Stobhall then as the water warms up the emphasis changes to the middle river in the Dunkeld area, Murthly, Kercock, Meikleour, Islamouth, Cargill and Ballathie as the fish have more energy to travel further without stopping and the fish spread. Also at this time the Tummel starts to see action with fish travelling up to Pitlochry Dam. The Tay always has enough water as it is the largest river by volume in the country and salmon run it every day of the year.

The river offers boat and bank fishing on most beats and there are daily rods available throughout the river. Famous early pools spring to mind such as Aitken Head, Horsey, Wash House, Pitlochrie pool, Back Dam, Little Head, Slap, Burnmouth pool and Linn pool on the lower river in the Stanley area. The middle river offers the Ash Tree, Rock pool, Cathedral Stream, Ferry pool, Cotter, Tronach, Garth, Boat pool, Cottage pool, Islamouth, Castle and the Long Head, all iconic names associated with the Tay. Whether you prefer to fly or spin on every beat they can accommodate your demands and the ghillies are there to help and guide you. It is a large river but in early season you do not have to cast a long way as the fish creep up the edges and tend to be in quieter water.

As to methods, in settled conditions fishing by any method will have to be slow and deep with large lures to catch the elusive Tay Springer. Favoured lures include Devons, Toby Salmos, Vision 110’s, Temple Dogs and Monkey flies. Harling is also a favoured method at this time of year but be warned wrap up well or it will not be a pleasant experience.
Popular hotels to stay in the area are the Tayside Hotel in Stanley, Ballathie House, The Meikleour Arms and the Royal Dunkeld Hotel.

The Tay in Perthshire is a prime spring salmon fishing destination so why not give it a go?

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Report for W/E 23rd January 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Report for W/E 23rd January 2016.

The river Tay opened on the 15th January undeterred by the very cold conditions, scores of anglers flocked to the banks of the river to mark the opening of the salmon season with great publicity in the press and on television. The various issues and activities appeared on Television, Radio and Press giving the river extremely high exposure that was invaluable. It has been a reasonably quiet start to the season probably due to the massive water throughout December and early January.

The first week has seen very cold conditions continue with settled water levels and good conditions for fishing up until Friday when milder weather and rain caused a spate. Expectation is high on the river for 2016 after successful springs in 2013, 2014 and 2015 and hopefully settled weather will continue over the weeks come and give everyone a chance of landing a spring “Bar of Silver”.

Odd Spring salmon were landed last week despite the cold weather and fortune favoured those who braved the elements in some cases.

The Redford Trophy was won by Gail O’Dea with a 14 pounds salmon caught in the Linn pool on Taymount. It is early yet with only small runs coming into the river and fluctuating weather is not making fishing easy. Once the river settled after all the big water Fish have appeared in reasonable numbers. There are a few kelts and some late run autumn fish from last year.

Last week four salmon were registered throughout the system. Earlier in the week fish were caught at Stobhall and Upper Scone them once the water settled down from a spate fish were landed at Dunkeld and Upper Kinnaird.

On Stobhall Iain Wilson of the Borders Gun Room landed a fish from the Linn pool which has seen a fair bit of early spring action over the last week being a superb high water spot.

Wednesday saw Arnot McWhinnie get Upper Scone off the mark with fresh run 10 pounds fish from the Benchil beat caught in Ship Linn. At the end of the week the water came up due to rain and milder weather making the lower river dirty but the middle river recovered although high on

Saturday for Dunkeld House to catch their first clean fish of the season a superb sea liced 14 pounds beauty landed by Neil Sneddon.

A further fish was also recorded at Upper Kinnaird on the same day caught by 6 year old William Beaton weighing 12 pounds.

The Spring Salmon fishing was well and truly underway after all the excitement of opening day’s celebrations. It has been a reasonable start so let us hope the season lives up to every ones expectations over the coming weeks and months. Tight lines!

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire prospects w/c 25th January 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire prospects w/c 25th January 2016.

The Salmon fishing season is well and truly started now on the mighty Tay in Perthshire, Scotland and we have been encountering some colder winter weather over the last week after some milder conditions prior to the Opening day. This settled the river back to normal levels after the continuous spates throughout December and early January. Unfortunately, the weather broke down again to milder conditions causing rising unsettled water levels on Friday and Saturday. On the opening week several anglers braved the elements in pursuit of that magical spring salmon. The weather hopefully will ease and turn colder to settle the river back and give a greater chance of producing some sport and some early "Bars of Silver" if you are prepared to brave the elements.

Currently the river is running high and a bit unsettled due to higher than normal temperatures for the time of year (7’ on the Ballathie gauge).

The weather is to be a bit unsettled over the next few days but then turn colder towards the end of the week. Colder conditions certainly benefit the river at this time of year slowing the spring salmon run down and giving everyone a chance to catch as they run up the river slowly. The milder weather prior to the start gave us more water and would have encouraged salmon to run the river. Colder weather will settle the river back to a good level and make ideal spring fishing conditions. The water temperature was around 38 degrees Fahrenheit or 3.5 degrees Celsius and may fall below that level in the coming days. These are typical temperatures for this time of year. The temperature may come back further with the colder forecast for the week ahead but there have been salmon running throughout the system after milder conditions prior to the opening day and resulted in fish being caught well up the system. Hopefully there might be a chance of a fresh fish anywhere in the river. There will no doubt be quite a few kelts about on many beats and possibly some later run fish, which have yet to spawn. Should you require guidance on salmon identification at this time of year please see this link for some help.

As to methods, in settled conditions fishing by any method will have to be slow and deep with large lures to catch the elusive Tay Springer. Harling is also a favoured method at this time of year but be warned wrap up well or it will not be a pleasant experience.

Finally, you are reminded that the Tay's policy for January – 1st April 2016 is that all spring salmon must be released, i.e. the Tay has a policy of 100% mandatory release of all salmon caught under the new Scottish Government Statutory Conservation Regulation. Spring salmon are a scarce and precious resource. Please preserve both them and the long term future of your sport by following the release of salmon as it is a now legal requirement during this period even if a fish has died. The Board's bailiff team will be enforcing this new legislation.

When releasing salmon please try to keep the fish in the water as much as possible to give them every chance to recover prior to release. Releasing fish from boats in the river is not recommended. Further information on the policy and good release practice.

If you have any news or pictures of catches or experiences on the Tay and you would like to share them please email me on robert.salmonfishing@googlemail.com to be included in the reports.

Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White

Salmon Fishing Scotland Wild salmon conservation changes 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Wild salmon conservation changes 2016.


Environment Minister confirms changes.

Following extensive consultation Environment Minister Aileen McLeod has confirmed a number of changes to regulate the killing of wild salmon in Scotland.

The measures will come into force on April 1.

Key aspects are:

• Killing outwith estuary limits will be prohibited for three years due to the mixed stock nature of the fishery and limited data on the composition of the catch
• The killing of Atlantic salmon in inland waters will be managed on an annual basis by categorising fishery districts by their conservation status
• Requirement for a Conservation Plan irrespective of the conservation status

Dr McLeod said:

“Our salmon is a valuable and important asset which we must protect and balance conserving stocks with the interests of those who fish for salmon.

“It is absolutely right that we take action now to protect our salmon stocks for the future. The changes have been subject to extensive consultation and we have listened and made some changes to the district classifications as a result of all the feedback we have received.

“I am confident we now have the right package of measures, including prohibitions on killing out-with estuary limits, inland waters being managed by conservation status and mandatory conservation plans, to ensure wild salmon have a sustainable future in our waters.”

Alister Jack, Chair of the River Annan Trust and District Salmon Fishery Board said:

“I welcome today’s announcement from the Minister, which offers confidence that the Scottish Government is truly committed to preserving our wild salmon populations and are prepared to make what are necessary but difficult decisions. This is the right thing to do.

“What is now important is that we come together as a sector, both angler and netsmen alike, to respond to the challenges that the new measures bring and use the opportunity afforded by the forthcoming consultation on a draft Wild Fisheries Bill, to ensure a prosperous and brighter future for our fisheries.”

Alasdair Laing, Chairman, speaking on behalf of the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards, welcomed the clarity which today’s announcement brings. He said:

“Most river systems already have voluntary conservation measures in place which would need only modest adjustment to comply with the new regulation. The conservation status principle will help identify areas where specific management challenges existed while offering the flexibility for improvements to be recognised”


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Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Opening Day Celebrations 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Opening Day Celebrations 2016.


Tay, Perthshire Salmon fishing Opening day celebrations from Dunkeld, Meikleour and Stanley featuring Environment minister Aileen McLeod, Tay Chairman Bill Jack, Ian Gordon and Brian Fratel of Farlows in London.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Salmon fishing Report for Opening days 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Salmon fishing Report for Opening days 2016.

The river Tay opened last Friday undeterred by the very cold conditions, scores of anglers flocked to the banks of the river Tay to mark the opening of the salmon season with great publicity in the press and on television. The various issues and activities appeared on Television, Radio and Press giving the river extremely high exposure that is invaluable.

There were opening day events throughout the Tay district with the larger ceremonies taking place at Dunkeld and Kenmore. At the Dunkeld Hilton Hotel the Environment minister Dr Aileen McLeod formally opened the river with the symbolic first cast in front of an enthusiastic crowd despite the inclement weather after Tay chairman Bill Jack had raised all the issues and introduced the new season on the mighty river. The ceremony at the Hilton Dunkeld House hotel on Friday morning marked the official start of the 2016 season. It was organised by the Hotel in conjunction with the Dunkeld and Birnam Tourist and Angling Associations and was supported by the Tay Foundation. A good crowd witnessed the event with television coverage by the BBC and STV news plus double page articles in the national press.
Dr McLeod said it was "great" to cast the first fly of the season.
She said: "Scotland is recognised across the world as the destination for salmon and freshwater fishing.
"Game and coarse angling is worth more than £100 million to the Scottish economy and supports almost 3,000 jobs, which shows the importance of maintaining and enhancing the quality of our rivers and fish stocks.
"I plan to launch the next stage of the wild fisheries reform programme shortly, which will confirm this Government's ongoing commitment to manage, conserve and develop our wild fisheries."

William Jack, chairman of the Tay district fishing board, said: "I am delighted that the minister has accepted the invitation to open the Tay salmon season.
"The Tay is the first of Scotland's big salmon rivers to open each year and we really appreciate the minister's interest in this great occasion.
"Salmon angling on the Tay is not just a pastime enjoyed by many from all walks of life but is also a significant contributor to the local economy in this area creating many jobs for ghillies and in the hospitality sector and is rightly deserving of Government support."
Salmon fishing is a major part of the local economy, supporting thousands of jobs.
Bill Jack, chairman of the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board, has called on anglers contemplating killing spring salmon to look at the bigger picture.
“If we are to be left free to regulate ourselves, then we must make even greater efforts to encourage the release of spring fish and I, once again, urge those few within our river system who continue to kill these precious fish, to think again and put the interests of the whole river before their own,” he says in the board’s annual report.
In 2014 and 2015 the board recommended a policy of 100% catch and release of salmon up to the end of May.
The latest figures available – for 2014 – revealed a compliance rate of 90% which meant the number of spring salmon killed in the Tay district (141) was the highest in Scotland.
The report noted that the release rate should be closer to 100% in 2015 because of mandatory measures that were introduced this year.
The board’s report said they were keen that the dualling of the A9 Perth to Inverness did not have a detrimental impact on the river system.
“The board is particularly concerned that the right decision is taken with respect to the proposed widening of the bridge over the Garry just above Killiecrankie,” says the report.
“The board’s preference is for the new carriageway to be built to the south of the existing one.
“Construction to the north would place a carriageway over perhaps the most important salmon holding pool in the area.”
The salmon season will get under way officially on January 15.
Dr Aileen McLeod, minister for environment, climate change and land reform, will perform the ceremony at Dunkeld with board chairman Mr Jack.
In preparation, Dr McLeod had her first fishing experience in June at Meikleour on the Tay where she joined a ladies’ angling club for a charity day in support of Angling for Youth Development.
Dr McLeod will be accompanied by her team from Marine Scotland who are responsible for the Wild Fisheries Review, which will bring about major changes to how fisheries operate in Scotland and will also have impact on anglers.

In a second opening ceremony, further upriver also in cold conditions, a large crowd of anglers and local residents gathered at the Kenmore Hotel in Perthshire before a pipe band led them to the water’s edge where they waited for the season to be officially opened. Scott McKenzie, poured a dram into the river before the fishing got under way.
The pouring of whisky is a symbolic gesture to keep the salmon “in good health”.

At Meikleour, 92-year-old fly-tying legend and jazz musician Tommy C. Saville along with three-year-old ghillie’s daughter Eilidh McRoberts and Ian Gordon performed the symbolic first cast.
Tommy wasn’t the only accomplished musician on the beat as Perthshire’s Pipe Major Ian Duncan lead anglers to the river just below Kinclaven Bridge. Proud of its 300 years of Franco Scottish connections, the water at Meikleour was blessed with a dousing of whisky and Champagne.

Farlows from London had come up to fish the first couple of days at Stanley and organised a good opening day ceremony with fishing director Brian Fratel fronting the celebrations. Joe Hardy, owner of the Tayside Hotel in the village blessed the water with whisky.

The Opening day saw odd spring salmon registered in the best conditions for years on the river after all the spates and high water throughout December and the two weeks leading up to the opening. Hopefully with more settled conditions over the week to come a good few more spring salmon will enter the river and be landed to get our season off to a flying start.
The Redford Trophy was won by Peter Backhouse landing a 24 pounds fish at Findynate. Further fish were caught at Taymount and Kercock. On Saturday Stobhall registered 4 fish with Glendelvine, Newtyle and Farleyer also figuring.

The Spring Salmon fishing was well and truly underway after all the excitement of opening day’s celebrations. All in all it was a truly memorable opening so let us hope the season lives up to every ones expectations.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Prospects for the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland week commencing 18th January 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Prospects for the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland week commencing 18th January 2016.

The Salmon fishing season is well and truly started now on the mighty Tay in Perthshire, Scotland and we have been encountering some very cold winter weather over the last few days after some milder conditions leading up to the Opening day but still several anglers braved the elements in pursuit of that magical spring salmon. The weather will remain very cold, which should help and give the river settled conditions and benefit the river to give a greater chance of producing some sport and some early "Bars of Silver" if you are prepared to brave the elements.

Currently the river is running at a good height falling away slowly due to harder weather (4’ 4 on the Ballathie gauge).

The weather is to continue cold over the next few days. Colder conditions certainly benefit the river at this time of year slowing the spring salmon run down and giving everyone a chance to catch as they run up the river slowly. The milder weather prior to the start gave us more water and would have encouraged salmon to run the river. Colder weather will settle the river back to a good level and make ideal spring fishing conditions. The water temperature was around 38 degrees Fahrenheit or 3.5 degrees Celsius and may fall below that level in the coming days. These are typical temperatures for this time of year. The temperature may come back further with the colder forecast for the week ahead but there have been salmon running throughout the system after milder conditions prior to the opening day and resulted in fish being caught well up the system. Hopefully there might be a chance of a fresh fish anywhere in the river. There will no doubt be quite a few kelts about on many beats and possibly some later run fish, which have yet to spawn. Should you require guidance on salmon identification at this time of year please see this link for some help.

As to methods, in settled conditions fishing by any method will have to be slow and deep with large lures to catch the elusive Tay Springer. Harling is also a favoured method at this time of year but be warned wrap up well or it will not be a pleasant experience.

Finally you are reminded that the Tay's policy for January – 1st April 2016 is that all spring salmon must be released, i.e. the Tay has a policy of 100% mandatory release of all salmon caught under the new Scottish Government Statutory Conservation Regulation. Spring salmon are a scarce and precious resource. Please preserve both them and the long term future of your sport by following the release of salmon as it is a now legal requirement during this period even if a fish has died. The Board's bailiff team will be enforcing this new legislation.

The Tay Ghillies Association are continuing their popular FISH OF THE MONTH AWARD to encourage good catch and release practice on the Tay. Each month the winner will receive 2 personalised crystal Whisky glasses engraved with details of the catch and they will automatically be entered into the fish of the year competition for a Stylish Crystal Engraved Decanter. Full details of this initiative.

When releasing salmon please try to keep the fish in the water as much as possible to give them every chance to recover prior to release. Releasing fish from boats in the river is not recommended. Further information on the policy and good release practice.

If you have any news or pictures of catches or experiences on the Tay and you would like to share them please email me on robert.salmonfishing@googlemail.com to be included in the reports.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Opening Day 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Tay, Perthshire Opening Day 2016.

The big day has arrived and everyone salmon fishing on the Tay are filled with expectation and excitement.

The mighty Tay at Stanley.

Some of the iconic salmon fishing beats at Stanley famous for spring fishing.

A cold January day, ideal for an early spring salmon. Tight lines everyone and have a great season.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Prospects for the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland Opening Day 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Prospects for the Tay, Perthshire, Scotland Opening Day 2016.


There is now only a few hours until the river Tay opens it’s salmon fishing season for 2016. The excitement is building slowly with anticipated large crowds expected at Dunkeld and Kenmore for the public opening day events.
Dr Aileen McLeod, Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, opens the salmon fishing season on the River Tay at the Hilton Dunkeld House on Friday 15 January. A ceremony, organised by the Hilton in conjunction with Dunkeld and Birnam Angling Association, the Dunkeld and Birnam Tourist Association and the Perthshire Chamber of Commerce and supported by the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board (TDSFB) and the Tay Foundation, will mark the start of the 2016 season.
The riverside reception by the Hilton Dunkeld House Hotel is open to all from 9 am and the formal opening of the river, accompanied by music and pipers, takes place at 9.30 am.
 
Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Dr Aileen McLeod said: “It is great to be here to make the first cast of the salmon fishing season on the Tay.
 
“Scotland is recognised across the world as the destination for salmon and freshwater fishing. Game and coarse angling is worth more than £100 million to the Scottish economy, and supports almost 3,000 jobs, which shows the importance of maintaining and enhancing the quality of our rivers and fish stocks.
 
“I plan to launch the next stage of the wild fisheries reform programme shortly, which will confirm this Government’s ongoing commitment to manage, conserve and develop our wild fisheries.”

Highlights of 2014 Opening ceremony.
William Jack, chairman of the TDSFB, commented: “I am delighted that the Minister has accepted the invitation to open the Tay salmon season. The Tay is the first of Scotland’s big salmon rivers to open each year and we really appreciate the Minister’s interest in this great occasion.”
 
Mr Jack continued: “Salmon angling on the Tay is not just a pastime enjoyed by many from all walks of life but is also a significant contributor to the local economy in this area creating many jobs for ghillies and in the hospitality sector and is rightly deserving of Government support.”
 
Dr David Summers, Director of the TDSFB, added: “There is particular interest in the Tay this year as our ‘spring’ catches have been tending to increase in recent years following a period of decline. For example, last year preliminary figures indicate 2,100 salmon were caught by the end of May, of which 94 % were released alive, making it one of the best Mays in recent years. The 836 reported in June was the second best ever since reporting started in 1952. The number of larger salmon returning to the river also seems to be on a rising trend, as evidenced by this year’s Malloch Trophy winner.”
 
At the Dunkeld ceremony Dr McLeod will be presenting the FishPal Malloch Trophy – for one of the largest salmon caught by an angler on a fly and safely returned during the year in Scottish waters – to the 2015 winner. The successful angler was Tom Buchanan from Barrhead in Glasgow for a 35 lb salmon caught on the River Lyon (a major Tay tributary) in Perthshire.

Anglers marching to the river for their first casts last season.

At Kenmore a traditional opening of the salmon season on the River Tay will also be held with a parade of fishermen to the river bank with the Vale of Atholl Junior Pipe Band, the 1st cast of the season will be made to mark the opening of the River Tay and a speaker will wish the anglers 'tight lines' for the season.

There will also be several other smaller ceremonies on the various beats up and down the river to mark the opening.

Currently the river is running high but should fall away nicely with a colder weather forecast following all the rain we have had over the last month. Colder and more settled weather is now with us at long last giving the river a great chance of producing some good sport and some early "Bars of Silver" on the opening day and beyond.

A superb Tay bar of silver.

On January 15th anglers will be competing for the Redford Trophy, for the heaviest salmon caught and safely released from the River Tay on opening day was first fished for in 1986. It was named after the late Ian Redford of Errol, the then co-owner of the Newtyle beat who tragically died the year before.

The angler who lands the biggest salmon on the day will not only be presented with the Trophy but will receive a £250 tackle voucher courtesy of James Crockart & Sons, the famous Blairgowrie tackle and gun shop.

Anglers who land a witnessed opening day springer should contact Crockarts at 01250 872056 by no later than 5 p.m.

The weather is to be cold and settled as the week goes on. The water temperature was high for the time year but has fallen back to just below 39 degrees Fahrenheit or 4 degrees Celcius, which is more typical for this time of year but this could change by the end of this week. The temperature may come back further with the colder forecast during the week ahead but any salmon that are running may be spread throughout the system after milder conditions prior to the opening day giving everyone a good chance for the coming week. Hopefully there might be a chance of a fresh fish anywhere in the river. There will no doubt be quite a few kelts about on many beats and possibly some later run fish, which have yet to spawn. Spring salmon identification help for those not sure about the different types of fish in the river at this time of year.

As to methods, in settled conditions fishing by any method will have to be slow and deep with large lures to catch the elusive Tay Springer. Harling is also a favoured method at this time of year but be warned wrap up well or it will not be a pleasant experience.

Finally you are reminded that the Tay's policy for January – 1st April 2016 is that all spring salmon must be released, i.e. the Tay has a policy of 100% mandatory release of all salmon caught under the new Scottish Government Statutory Conservation Regulation. Spring salmon are a scarce and precious resource. Please preserve both them and the long term future of your sport by following the release of salmon as it is a now legal requirement during this period even if a fish has died. The Board's bailiff team will be enforcing this new legislation.

When releasing salmon please try to keep the fish in the water as much as possible to give them every chance to recover prior to release. Releasing fish from boats in the river is not recommended. Further information on the policy and good release practice.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon Fishing Opening on Tay, Perthshire 2016.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Salmon Fishing Opening on Tay, Perthshire 2016.

Tay, Perthshire salmon season to be opened by Dr Aileen MacLeod - Environment and Fisheries Minister
On Friday 15th January 2016 at the Hilton Dunkeld House Hotel.

The 2016 salmon fishing season is now only a week away and hopefully from tomorrow we will start to see much better weather as the picture above to make the start possible after all the horrible weather we have endured over the last month.

Colder weather is forecast right into next week so hopefully the river will drop away and make fishing possible next Friday.

A flavour of last years celebrations.

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Salmon Fishing Scotland Upper Scone Time Share Rods for Sale.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Upper Scone Time Share Rods for Sale.

RIVER TAY – UPPER SCONE TIMESHARE

Two rods of six are for sale in week 35 on this classic beat of the Tay.

The week is in mid September. In the last ten years’ catches for this week have been: 19, 30, 19, 16, 29, 21, 11, 11, 5 & 10, an average of 17, or 12 over the last five years.

The timeshare owns the bank opposite Stanley, comprising two beats, Pitlochrie and Benchil. It includes several famous pools such as the Corner Pool, Pitlochrie Pool, Cawnpore, Horsey, Aitken Head, Tod Holes, Long Shot & Little Shot. The beats are fished on alternate days by agreement with the owner of the Stanley bank. There are two excellent ghillies and two boats. One fishing hut is by Pitlochrie Pool; the other is at Benchil. There is car parking next to both huts. The rods are held in perpetuity and are subject to an annual charge, which covers the cost of ghillies wages, river board levy, maintenance of the bank together with boats and motors. Week 35 is one of the very best weeks on the Tay.

The rods are priced at £9,500 each or £18,000 for two.

Further information is available on demand.
a.d.portno@btinternet or phone 01332 5589825

Fishing Salmon River, Salmon River, Fishing for Salmon, Fly Fishing Salmon, Fly Fishing, Salmon Fishing Report, Trout Fishing, King Salmon Fishing, Salmon Fishing Forum, Salmon Fishing Scotland, Salmon Fishing Holidays Scotland, River Tay Scotland, Scottish Salmon, Salmon Rivers Scotland, Fishing Tackle Scotland, Salmon Fishing Flies, Fly Fishing Flies.